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Call it a sign of the times, but for some diehard Android enthusiasts, this year’s current crop of flagships has been rather lackluster one area or another. Perhaps the only exception was Sony who was first out the gate with their 2014 flagship, the Sony Xperia Z2, introduced back during Mobile World Congress in February.
The phone packed many of the specs we thought would come standard in this year’s flagships: Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, beefy 3,100mAh battery, and a high-res 20.7MP camera. What more could you ask for? Unfortunately for those of us in the US, we’ve been stuck in limbo awaiting any word on availability ’round these parts.
According to the most recent wave of leaks, it now appears the Sony Xperia Z2 could be headed to the states as a Verizon exclusive — not exactly the best news for those of us on networks like AT&T or T-Mobile. But we now have a way out. The GSM compatible Sony Xperia Z2 (D6503) is now officially available for purchase online (sort of, it’s backordered) direct from Sony. While it’s true the phone has been available for quite some time via 3rd party retailers, this marks the first time it’s finally available from Sony.
Pay no mind to the listing of a Snapdragon 800 processor on the device’s Sony listing, we’re sure it’s only a slip up. As for the rest of the specs, you’ll find the device has everything it needs to operate on both AT&T and T-Mobile networks, LTE included: UMTS HSPA+ 850 (Band V), 900 (Band VIII), 1700 (Band IV), 1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I) MHz GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20).
Of course for many, a $700 smartphone isn’t something they can justify to the wife after seeing next month’s statement. Guess it’s the best we can do until the phone is officially available for purchase from other carriers, whether subsidized or through early upgrade offers. That’s if it ever launches outside of Verizon. We’ll continue keeping our fingers crossed. In the meantime, I have some buying to do…
I was like “Snapdragon 800!? Outta line!! I needz that low power core”. LoL!!
Amazon and eBay both have it under $600…
yea, i last recall $580 shipped off ebay just recently
Yeah, mentioned that. But for some, it’s much easier dealing with Sony (warranties and whatnot), plus, they get their Sony points.
Yea sorry, I am the “straight to the comment” type of person. lol jk.
Too little ,Too late, especially with the Z3 around the corner…..
Around the corner for who? Certainly not for people in the US, considering how long it took for the Z2 to become available after it was announced.
Come on to Verizon and I’ll bite to go along with my Z2 Tablet LTE!
When VoLTE fully launches on Verizon, this will be capable, as it supports bands 4 and 13.
I got my Z2 over three months ago. They’re available on all the networks in Australia. What’s the deal with America?
Sony wasn’t open to sell to North America, blame Sony.
But I just got my Z1s thru T-Mobile in January…
Me too, but a) I don’t see the Z2 as being that big an upgrade over the Z1s (even putting aside the fact that it has less(!) internal storage), and b) it’s a heck of a lot more than I paid for my Z1s ($528). Honestly, other than T-Mobile sitting on updates for it, I’ve had no complaints with it whatsoever.
The Z1s is a great phone. Ended up selling mine for 2 reasons: the bezel is just a little too big, and those stupid plastic anti shatter films they put on them. That film scratches very easily, and I hate screen protectors. The Z2 doesn’t have those problems.
Haven’t had any issues with either of those things, then again, I have rather large hands (can palm a basketball) and seem to have pretty good luck with my phones staying in good shape (not sure why, I don’t use a case and typically put it in my pocket with my keys, but the only “damage” a phone I’ve owned has sustained to date was some of the metallic paint on the side of my old SGS2 flaking off).